Review – Sledgehammer 44: Lightning War #2 (of 3) (Dark Horse)

Any book that starts off with a torture scene and a giant metal man falling through a stormy sky has my complete attention. The events follow neatly from last month’s proceedings and the action in this issue feels like it’s been building for ages never mind one previous issue. It’s a very succinct and well-paced piece of storytelling by all involved.

The art in this series is like a bleak force of nature; everything is drenched in shadow and there is something creepy about the crude mindreading technology. The book is as black as death and full of standout images and breath taking moments. The Black Flame, under orders from Adolf Hitler himself, is a terrifying proposition and seeing him fly around in a thunder storm is a haunting image. What the hell is this guy? The dialogue is exciting without ever being in the way of the action and the WW2 setting feels authentic even with the armoured men and flaming skulls.

Mignola seems to be firing them out just now (Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Sledgehammer… he’s even got a Hellboy short in this month’s Dark Horse Presents) and the consistency never seems to dip. This story lasts three issues and the setting, characters, plot are all set up well without it ever feeling rushed or skimmed. One more issue to go and there is no way in hell, I’m missing it.

Rating: 8/10.

The writer of this piece was: James McQueen
You can also find James on Twitter.